Your Child's Development: 2 Months

Your baby develops from head to toe — and in that order. That's why babies can hold their heads up before they learn to walk, and can push up on their elbows before pushing up with their hands. Keeping this in mind can help you predict what your baby's next big developmental step will be.

Doctors use certain milestones to tell if a baby is developing as expected. There's a wide range of what's considered normal, so some babies gain skills earlier or later than others. Babies who were born prematurely reach milestones later. Always talk with your doctor about your baby's progress.

Here are some new skills your baby may have this month:

Communication and Language Skills

develops more distinct cries to indicate hunger, pain, or tiredness

gurgles and coos (says "ooh" and "ah")

smiles in response to being talked to, played with, or smiled at

turns his or her attention to whoever is speaking

Movement and Physical Development

when on his or her belly, can hold up the head and may even push up on the arms